The Hammers qualified for the Europa League via the Fair Play League last season having not made it into European football for several years.

They have to play in three qualifying rounds to reach the Europa League group stages though, and have already managed to successfully negotiate the first two rounds, although they required a penalty shootout to see of FC Birkirkara.

Kouyate though, insists the side are ready for European football should they make the group stages but acknowledges that the teams are entirely different to those in England.

“The teams you play in the Europa League are very different to English teams,” he told whufc.com.

“The style, the way they play football. It’s a different type of experience. Every player enjoys it, we have a good squad, I think we are ready.”

European football important for West Ham

The midfielder also says that it is important that the club have European football on a regular basis.

While staying in the Premier League is obviously the top aim for every side, the Hammers are keen to push on having established themselves, with fans keen to see them in Europe regularly when they move to the Olympic Stadium at the end of next season.

And Kouyate is one of them hoping they can participate in the European competitions for a number of years, whether it be the Europa League or Champions League.

“It’s very important for West Ham that we have European football,” he added.

“Everyone wants to play in the best competitions, this is one of them. It’s a nice way as we go into the new stadium, hopefully we can have European football for a number of years.”

Sean Lunt

Sean Lunt is a Journalism and Spanish graduate with a passion for football. As an avid Everton fan he has survived the Walter Smith era, enjoyed the resurgence under David Moyes and is now wholly embracing the Spanish revolution with Roberto Martinez. Away from Everton he follows the rest of the football league and has a particular interest in La Liga.